Two leftwing US political commentators, Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker, have been barred from entering the UK by the Home Office on grounds that their visit was 'not conducive to the public good'. Despite the ban, they will still address the Oxford Union via livestream this Saturday.
The pair had been invited to speak at the Oxford Union, the world's most prestigious debating society, as well as at the SXSW London event. The Home Office revoked their electronic travel authorisations without providing specific reasons. Uygur, host of the Young Turks podcast, has faced accusations of propagating antisemitic tropes in his criticism of Israel, which he denies. Piker, a leftwing streamer, has apologised for a 2019 comment that 'America deserved 9/11' and has stood by his characterisation of Hamas as '1,000 times better' than Israel.
Oxford Union president Arwa Elrayess expressed deep concern over the ban, stating: 'The Oxford Union was founded on one principle: that ideas are challenged through debate, not silenced by decree. Free speech does not require a visa.' She confirmed the event will proceed remotely.
In contrast, SXSW London said the pair will not participate in their programme as they are unable to travel. A spokesperson noted that decisions on entry are a matter for the Home Office.
Free speech activists criticised the government's decision. Jemimah Steinfeld of Index on Censorship called it a 'worrying escalation', while Akiko Hart of Liberty urged transparency, saying: 'Free speech can only exist when we defend it for those we disagree with.'
